15 South African Infantry Battalion

15 South African Infantry Battalion
	15 SAI emblem
Active	1994 to present
Country	South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Type	Motorised infantry
Part of	South African Infantry Formation
Garrison/HQ	Thohoyandou, Limpopo
Superimposed on a Western European-traditional-shape shield, top half green and bottom half black, an elephant's head. [1]	Elephant
Insignia
Company level insignia

Last updated March 02, 2019

15 South African Infantry Battalion is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.

The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910. The South African military evolved within the tradition of frontier warfare fought by Boer Commando (militia) forces, reinforced by the Afrikaners' historical distrust of large standing armies. It then fought as part of the wider British effort in World War II, but afterwards was cut off from its long-standing Commonwealth ties with the ascension to power of the National Party in South Africa in 1948. The army was involved in a long and bitter counter-insurgency campaign in Namibia from 1966 to 1990. It also played a key role in controlling sectarian political violence inside South Africa during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

History

Origin

This battalion was established in 1994 from the ranks of the former Venda Defence Force.^[1]^[2] The unit badge reflects its location. Thohoyandou means “head of the elephant”.

The Venda Defence Force (VDF) was established in September 1982 from the 112 Battalion of the South African Defence Force and the military branch of the Venda National Force which itself had been formed when the Venda homeland became independent from South Africa in September 1979.

Operational Command

The unit resorted for operational purposes under the command of the Soutpansberg Military Area.

The Soutpansberg Military Area (SMA) Headquarters was situated in Messina in the Northern Province. The size of the area for which the SMA was responsible for was approximately 4,040 square kilometres (1,560 sq mi).

Insignia

Previous Dress Insignia

Current Dress Insignia

SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia.jpg — SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia

SANDF's Motorised Infantry

SANDF's Motorised Infantry is transported mostly by Samil trucks, Mamba APC's or other un-protected motor vehicles. Samil 20,50 and 100 trucks transport soldiers, towing guns, and carrying equipment and supplies. Samil trucks are all-wheel drive, in order to have vehicles that function reliably in extremes of weather and terrain. Motorised infantry have an advantage in mobility allowing them to move to critical sectors of the battlefield faster, allowing better response to enemy movements, as well as the ability to outmaneuver the enemy.

Leadership

Leadership
From	Honorary Colonel	To
From	Officer Commanding	To
2003	Col Xolisa Poni	c. nd
2004	Lt Col Johannes Foke	c. nd
From	Regimental Sergeants Major	To

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References

1 2 Engelbrecht, Leon (2007). A guide to the SANDF - unpublished manuscript. Johannesburg. p. Chapter 9C, p.8.
↑ Grundy, K.W. Soldiers without politics, Blacks in the South African Armed Forces, Perspectives on Southern Africa, 33, University of California Press, Berkley. ISBN 0-520-04710-9 AACR2

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[15SAI-1] 1 2 Engelbrecht, Leon (2007). A guide to the SANDF - unpublished manuscript. Johannesburg. p. Chapter 9C, p.8.

[2] Grundy, K.W. Soldiers without politics, Blacks in the South African Armed Forces, Perspectives on Southern Africa, 33, University of California Press, Berkley. ISBN 0-520-04710-9 AACR2